Planning Commission - 05/08/2017 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: John Kirk, Travis Wuttke, Ann Higgins, Charles
Weber, Andrew Pieper, Ed Farr, Mark Freiberg,
Michael DeSanctis, Christopher Villareal
CITY STAFF: Beth Novak-Krebs, Senior Planner
Rod Rue, City Engineer
Matt Bourne, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources
Julie Krull, Recording Secretary
I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Pieper called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ROLL CALL
Weber was absent.
IIII. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Higgins, to approve the agenda. Motion carried
8-0.
IV. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON APRIL 24, 2017
Wuttke had a change on page 3,paragraph 5, last sentence. He would like it to
read, "Wuttke stated there appears to be more risk on the developers."
Wuttke had a change on page 4,paragraph 9, first sentence. He would like it to
read, "Wuttke stated again his concern with the other entities pushing for changes
to the city's ordinances."
MOTION: Wuttke moved, seconded by Farr, to approve the amended Planning
Commission minutes dated April 24, 2017. Motion carried 8-0.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
May 8, 2017
Page 2
V. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC MEETINGS
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. HUELER PROPERTY
Location: 12300 Riverview Road
Request for:
• Preliminary Plat of one lot into three lots on 4.46 acres
Dan Blake, consultant representing the owners, presented the proposal. Mr. Blake
gave an overview of the site and showed a diagram of the property from 1937 for
history of the site and compared it to a current aerial photograph. He showed where
the current house is and stated it will remain on the property. He pointed out the
site is slopped, meeting the definition for steep slope. There are no wetlands on the
property. There are a lot of native oaks and cedar trees on the property, along with
a lot of buck thorn. Mr. Blake said the site is very large but does come with a lot of
issues. They had thought of constructing multifamily villas and 5 single family lots
on the property but felt it would not work for the site, so that is where they came up
with the plan to have three fairly large lots on the property. Mr. Blake pointed out
the three lots would meet the zoning requirements. They are not sure what size the
houses will be,but know they will be larger. The existing driveway, where the
current house is located, will remain. The road running north to south will be
rebuilt as sewer and water will be added to the area. He stated staff wanted him
look at flag lots,but he felt they would retain more flexibility if they did not go with
that type of lot. Mr. Blake pointed out the staff report has a lot of conditions and
said they are in agreement with those. He also stated they had a neighborhood
meeting and only four homeowners came. They were mainly interested in what
type of housing was going to be built in the area. Mr. Blake said he did not know
the exact price point of the homes but knew they would be larger.
DeSanctis asked about the heritage trees on the property and how will they be
protected during construction. Mr. Blake said the construction will not impact the
heritage trees. He also pointed out because of the steep slopes, each lot will have its
own land alteration permit.
Chair Pieper asked Novak-Krebs to review the staff report. Novak-Krebs said this
is consistent with the zoning and guide plan. She did say it is a unique site. It is
slopped and wooded. There is a bluff and there may be archeological artifacts on
the site.. There are a number of conditions listed in the staff report because of
timing of the development and the need to make sure the responsibilities and other
details were carefully planned. Staff is recommending approval based on the
conditions in the staff report.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
May 8, 2017
Page 3
Chair Pieper opened the meeting up for public input. Paul Schnebel, a resident in
the area, said he is concerned with the project and pointed out he never received a
neighborhood meeting letter. He stated ten years ago, 10 to 12 homes were to be
developed on this property but could not because of run-off and he would like to
know what has changed since then. He also stated the driveway on this site is right
by his fence. Mr. Schnebel asked what the time frame for this property would be.
Chair Pieper asked Mr. Schnebel where his home is located. Mr. Schnebel said it is
located north of lot 3.
Mr. Blake said the final plat has to be submitted within two years. Chair Pieper
asked if notices were sent out to all the neighbors. Mr. Blake said he would look at
the list again,but he did get that list from city staff, which uses the information
from Hennepin County.
DeSanctis asked what would be the engineering practices used to protect the soil on
the bluffs from heavy rain. Mr. Blake said he does not have a specific answer but
that is why they are not building many houses and trying to retain the trees and land
cover.
Kirk asked for city staff s viewpoint of a steep slope and pre-cautions. Rue said
there will be a steep slope permit which will entail more engineering. Wuttke asked
what the delineations of steep slopes are for this property. Rue said anything over
12% would be considered steep, which is most of the property. What constitutes a
bluff is a 30% grade on a bluff with a height of 25 feet or more. These are standards
developed by the Department of Natural Resources.
Kirk commented the city staff has done a good job with stringent requirements and
the developer has done a good job with the placement of lots.
Farr asked about Riverview Road right-of-way and is there a reason why this would
not be made into a private drive and vacate the right of way. In the preliminary plat
there are no connecting utilities to units one and two. Rue said Riverview Road
needs access to the river bottom. The right of way has been established for 100
years so it will stay as is. In regards to the driveway easement, they are working on
that. The easement is also consistent with the City's standards. Mr. Blake said in
regards to the normal utilities easements and drainage easements; they will serve
one lot at a time. There will be no infrastructure there.
Freiberg said he was previously on the Heritage Preservation Commission and
asked what if something historical or significant was found on site. Novak-Krebs
said if it is significant it would most likely just impact the grading of the storm
water management facility through the land alteration permit, the city can require
protection of the foundation during grading. Higgins concurred with Novak-Krebs.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
May 8, 2017
Page 4
Farr said he heard the home that is on site was called historical and asked if that was
noted somewhere. Higgins said it was not noted anywhere. She also commented
there is typically very little left of these remnants as they have all been washed
away by water. She does not anticipate anything major being found.
Kirk commented it sounded like homework has been done for this project. Chair
Pieper concurred with Kirk's comment and added it is a good project.
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by DeSanctis to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 8-0.
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded Freiberg to recommend approval of Preliminary
Plat of one lot into three lots on 4.46 acres based on information outlined in the
Staff Report dated May 4, 2017 and the plans stamp dated April 27, 2017. Motion
carried 8-0.
VIII. PLANNERS' REPORT
There was no Planners' report
IX. MEMBERS' REPORT
Wuttke asked in regards to tonight's public hearing, since there were no deviations from
code why would there be 23 bullet points of recommendations. Freiberg stated he
considered it to be a cautious approach because it's a unique site.
X. CONTINUING BUSINESS
XI. NEW BUSINESS
XII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Freiberg moved, seconded by Higgins, to adjourn the Planning Commission
meeting. Motion carried 8-0.
Chair Pieper adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m.